Sheltering from the rain or something else unpleasant? Warming up on a cold winter day? Taking a moment to unwind for 15 minutes? Looking for a distraction-free space for an hour? Or feeling like hiding away for the whole day? Just one address!
Join the open day on December 21 at Leguit 21, 2000 Antwerp, from 9:00 to 17:00. Or book a time slot on a weekday between December 21, 2024, and March 21, 2025 (from 9:00 to 17:00).
Almost 60 percent of Belgians live in homes that are too large.(1) The building where researcher Nik Naudts occupies one floor is no exception, despite its rich history and diverse functions as a home, workshop, archive, storage space, and coffee roastery, among others.
As part of his research Between Old Habits and New Habitats, Nik Naudts explores how underutilized space can be repurposed without interfering with its current functions, working closely with the building’s residents and users. This project is part of a larger research initiative called Room( )service.
During the winter months, he offers a warm single-person room, specially created for this occasion. This room can be used free of charge (by appointment only) during office hours. Located on the ground floor, it is easily accessible to all and measures 4.5 m² with a maximum height of 2 meters. It is furnished with a comfortable sofa and a blanket, designed in collaboration with textile professional Anaïs Huyghe, allowing users to adjust their perceived temperature.
Through this project, Room( )service aims to explore what warmth and comfort mean to each of us. How much control are we willing to give up for it? Is warmth only a physical sensation, or does it also involve smell, sound, and sight?
(1) Based on a study of the Belgian housing market conducted by the Belgian bank KBC.